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| Goblins from Narnia |
A few months ago I started giving information on my new Machiavellian campaign. The starting of the campaign is in a city, and as described in the last post, the city of Castanis updated to include some of the changes we want to work with (more on the city's development in the last article on an example of culture development). One of the earlier articles was about some of the size and power bases of the city. Mentioned in passing in the article is the goblin enclave, which has drawn some additional interest. So, I present some expanded information about the enclave.
Goblin Enclave
A small area of the city, in the run down district known as the Grotto, has become the protected area for a small tribe of goblins. The residents of the city have come to call the area the goblin enclave. It is ran like a miniature goblin kingdom by an older goblin with rumored powers. The area is well protected and only a select few are allowed an audience with the goblin king.
The goblins of the enclave live in a more orderly fashion than goblins are expected to. It is said this is partly because they are more civilized, a concept the goblins are promoting, while others say it is because of their leader, who rules by absolutes. Whatever the reason, because the goblins behave themselves (sort of) and live in an area of the city more "civilized" residents don't want to live, they have been tolerated, enough so they have been able to establish some worthy businesses.
The goblins are known for maintaining a mushroom garden of varieties sought after by gourmets, and wizards. It is also suspected they grow other varieties with more unreputable abilities. No one else has been able to provide the fresh fungi within the city. The other varieties are tightly controlled and are only traded with those who have established themselves with the goblins.
The enclave controls a small area of the Grotto and provides the area around them with a certain level of protection which keeps the area "clean." The Grotto is known as the slums of the city, but the area around the enclave is an area even the locals warn outsiders to stay away from, unless the intruders are disliked. Very few city patrols enter the grotto, and the goblins patrol their own area. Known residents are generally left alone (many of whom pay for the added protection so they are left alone by outsiders). At night, unknown trespassers are not tolerated. First the goblins will be forcibly warn or escort intruders away. If resisted, the goblins will use whatever force they deem necessary to secure their home. The clean part of the operation has been no one has ever found the remains of intruders who chose not to leave.
In the past there have been further inquiries into missing individuals, but to no avail. This led to a street war with a band of dwarves. The fighting escalated quickly, and ended quickly. The dwarves found themselves outnumbered and were driven out of the enclave's area. Those who didn't make it out of the area were taken care of as part of the cleaning operation. The leader of the dwarven group petitioned for the city to do something about the goblins, but were not successful with their legal arguments.
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| Goblin from Harry Potter |
To gain more acceptance into the surrounding society some goblins are now working in other local businesses. They are careful not to expand too far away from their protected area, for those who do become part of someone else's cleaning operation. This newer group of working goblins try to present themselves as more civilized. They usually dress better and clean themselves up better than their cousins. Some have even taken up some of the adventuring classes.
The leader of the enclave is a skilled rogue who has been infected with lycanthropy, werewolf. Only a few of the goblin elite know this fact. His infection has helped in establishing the enclave and protecting it. One of his advisers is a wizard who came to the city a short while back. The wizard wanted a place of protection where he could study some of the darker arts. The enclave has provided him protection for helping them. It is said this wizard is the one who brought the spores for the mushrooms the goblins now sell.
It is also rumored at least one of the neighbors of the enclave is undead. It is also said there are other denizens from the underdark living around the enclave who are manipulating the goblins for their own ends.
Goblins living in a group have always been a scourge to towns and villages. Now in a major city the goblins have learned how their own racial traits can be used to make gains in a different way. They may not be the most skilled merchants, the smartest adversary, or wisest choice in a time of need. But they have a certain level of cunning, making them dangerous when they have established themselves in a new environment.
If you have any comments, questions, or critiques please leave a comment here, or send an email to guildmastergaming@gmail.com.
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